Gas lighters

ABSTRACT

In accordance with this invention there is provided an electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an energy source and a hand lighter which is detachably connectable to the energy source. The hand lighter includes a source of gas, a gas valve, a gas burner and an ignition spark gap for providing a spark upon the application of an ignition voltage thereto to ignite gas issuing from the gas burner. The energy source includes means for generating an ignition voltage for application to the ignition spark gap. Means are provided in the lighter for opening the gas valve and subsequently establishing a spark across the ignition spark gap upon detachment of the hand lighter from the energy source and for closing the gas valve upon return of the hand lighter to the energy source.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,820,942 Remy June 28, 11974 GAS LIGHTERS Primary Examiner-*Edward G. Favors [75] Inventor: Hermann Remy, Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge R. Clark; Neil M.

Dietzenbach-Steinberg, Germany Rose; John Pacocha [73] Assignee: Rowenta Werke GmbH, Offenbach am Main, Germany [57] ABSTRACT [22] i 20, 973 In accordance with this invention there is provided an Appl. No.: 343,065

electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an energy source and a hand lighter which is detachably connectable to the energy source. The hand lighter includes a source of gas, a gas valve, a gas burner and an ignition spark gap for providing a spark upon the application of an ignition voltage thereto to ignite gas issuing from the gas burner. The energy source includes means for generating an ignition voltage for application to the ignition spark gap. Means are provided in the lighter for opening the gas valve and subsequently establishing a spark across the ignition spark gap upon detachment of the hand lighter from the energy source and for closing the gas valve upon return of the hand lighter to the energy source.

36 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEmunze m4 SHEU 1 BF 6 Fig.3

1 GAS LIGHTERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrically ignited gas lighters. The invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, directed to a table lighter having a gas tank, a burner nozzle, a gas valve, an ignition spark gap, and means such as an ignition circuit for generating an ignition voltage.

In mostelectrically ignited table lighters the components of the ignition circuit are heavy and require a relatively large amount of space. Table lighters also generally have a greater flame height than pocket lighters and they are frequently used and handed around when ignited. Table lighters must therefore have their own energy source for generating the ignition voltage, together with a much larger gas tank than pocket lighters.

The above-noted factors control the size, weight and external shape parameters of table lighters, and these parameters can not fall below particular levels if adequate life, operational reliability and an adequate number of ignition operations, together with an economic sale price must be guaranteed.

In many lighters it would be desirable for example to increase the gas tank content, reduce the size and weight of the ignition system and raise the operational reliability of the lighter. However, hitherto improvements have often only been possible on one feature by impairing other features of the lighter. The object of the invention is to remedy this problem and to provide an electrically ignited gas lighter, advantageously a table lighter, whose individual components can be optimally designed without undue restriction being placed on other components in order to ensure a lighter that may be comfortably and reliably handled and which has in addition a particularly large gas tank compared with those of known lighters. In addition, the sale price of the table lighter is kept within acceptable limits.

According to the present invention there is provided an electrically ignited gas lighter having an ignition circuit, for generating an ignition voltage for application to a spark gap, the components of which are accomodated in an energy portion of the lighter and are in operative connection, in a detachable manner, with at least one hand lighter that is separable from the energy portion and which contains a gas supply system and a spark gap.

More particularly, in accordance with this invention there is provided an electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an energy source and a hand lighter which is detachably connectable to the energy source. The hand lighter includes a source of gas, a gas valve, a gas burner, and an ignition spark gap for providing a spark upon the application of an ignition voltage thereto to ignite gas issuing from the gas burner. The energy source includes means for generating an ignition voltage for application to the ignition spark gap. Means are provided in the lighter for opening the gas valve and subsequently establishing a spark across the ignition spark gap upon detachment of the hand lighter from the energy source and for closing the gas valve upon return of the hand lighter to the energy source.

Thus in a lighter in accordance with the present invention the energy source includes the heavy spaceconsuming components of the electrical ignition circuit are accomodated, and also, the knobs, levers, springs or the like necessary for valve operation. The energy source serves to prepare the ignition energy and to receive the hand lighter after use. Since the weight of the energy source need not be taken into account the components of the ignition circuit can be optimally designed.

Although the energy portion can have any desired external shape it is advantageous for its casing to be in the form of a stand or the like. This can then for example have the shape of an ashtray and/or have spaces for storing cigarettes or the like. The base can be round, angular, cylindrical or conical.

The hand lighter is very light. Besides a large fuel tank it generally only contains a burner valve with flame regulation, a blocking device or valve for the gas supply, a filler valve, and one or two ignition electrodes. The hand lighter casing can be designed so that it is not only easy to handle but in fact can be given any desired shape eg for advertising or publicity purposes. The energy source can also be designed that it serves to supply several hand lighters.

For transmission of the ignition voltage from the ignition circuit in the energy portion to the hand lighter an electrically conductive pin and/or a sliding contact may be provided in the energy portion to make connection with corresponding contacts on the hand lighter. As only limited energy is transmitted at high voltage it is sufficient to have very small contacts with a low contact pressure, because the contact resistance is negligibly small compared with the resistance of the spark gap.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of several exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. ll shows a first version of an ignition circuit for the lighter of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an ignition circuit with a make-andbreak type magneto as the energy source;

FIG. 3 shows an ignition circuit with a piezo-electric igniter as the energy source;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of-the gas supply valve;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the details of an ignition circuit for the lighter;

FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a sec- I ond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel valve closing structure;

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a magnetic arrangement for locking the lighter to the stand;

FIG. 10 shows the base of the hand lighter;

FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of lever operated full valve version embodiment of a lighter;

FIG. 12 shows a partial cross-sectional view holding provision for holding the lighter in the stand;

FIG. 13 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a second magnetic arrangement for locking the lighter to the stand.

It is desireable in electrically ignited gas lighters such as table lighters to make available a precisely measured quantity of electricity for ignition purposes, independently of the operating duration of a switch or of the burner nozzle may be achieved.

Referring to FIG. 1 ignition energy for an electrically ignited gas lighter may be supplied by an energy source, a battery 11 or other suitable source. For example a number of photoelectric cells 11' may be used as the energy source as shown in the schematic of FIG. 1. The energy source is connected via a lead 2 and a switch 3 to a capacitor 4 which is charged to the voltage of the energy source 1, such as the battery 1 of FIG. 11. The capacity of the capacitor is such that it stores a quantity of electricity which is sufficient for one ignition.

On operating the reversing switch 3 the capacitor 4 is discharged via a very low-resistance primary winding 5 of an ignition transformer 6 so that an ignition voltage for the ignition electrodes 8 is induced in the transformer secondary or high voltage winding 7. The ignition electrodes 8 are connected via high voltage leads 28, 29 to the high voltage winding 7 of the ignition transformer 6. The lighter also includes a gas tank 9a with a burner nozzle 10 which is opened before a high voltage spark is produced between the ignition electrodes 8 by the induced high voltage. Instead of the battery l1, photoelectric cells 11' may be used as the energy source 1. In this case a light-sensitive resistance 12 is connected in series with the cells 11'.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a second ignition circuit in'which there is a closed iron magnetic circuit 13, including a permanent magnet 14 which forms part of a make-and-break armature 13a. The armature 13a is pivotable about a pivot 17 counter to the force of a spring 16 by means of a push button 18. Part of the iron circuit 13 forms the core of a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding 16. On movement of the armature 139, a current is induced in the primary winding 15 and the contacts 20 are opened by a switch member 19 on the armature 13a when this current is at a maximum value. A spark quenching capacitor 21 connected in parallel with the contacts 20 prevents undesired sparks occurring between these contacts. In the secondary winding 16 an ignition voltage is induced which causes an arc across the ignition spark gap between the ignition electrodes 8 that ignites gas flowing from the burner nozzle 10.

FIG. 3 shows another version of the present invention in which a piezo igniter 68 with piezo-electric elements 27 which are connected via a damping resistance 22 and high voltage leads 28 and 29 to the ignition electrodes 8. An operating button 23, a spring 24, a striker and a latch 26 are also provided as shown. If operating button 23 is pressed down far enough so that the energy stored in the spring 24 is sufficiently large the button 23 releases the latching effect latch 26 and striker 25 so that the latter can strike one of the piezo elements 27. The electrical energy occurring at the moment of striking produces the ignition sparks for the spark gap between the ignition electrodes 8.

FIG. 4 shows schematically a two-part lighter in accordance with the present invention which comprises an energy generating section in the form of a stand 30 and a hand lighter 9 detachably connected therewith. The stand 30 preferably has a round casing with a removable base 30a and has located therein the energy source including the high voltage leads 28. The lower part of the hand lighter 9 is inserted into an appropriately shaped receiving recess 31 in the stand 30, and is frictionaly held in place there by an elastic O-ring 32 inserted in a wall 33 of the recess 31.

The energy generating section of all embodiments of the invention can, instead of being in the form of a stand, have any desired shape and furthermore, the energy generating section may be adapted to receive and connect with several hand lighters 9 if desired.

The hand lighter 9 has a base 34 on which there is a gas supply valve 35 and an insulator 52 which has thereon a contact 36 for supplying electrical energy to the high voltage lead 29 (FIG. 6). Above the base 34 is arranged a gas tank 9a bounded by a partition 37 and closed in a pressure tight manner. On partition 37 are fixed a burner valve 38 with a flame regulating lever 39, a burner nozzle 10 and an ignition electrode 8 mounted above and to one side of the burner nozzle 10. Ignition electrode 8 is mounted in a temperature-resistant insulator 53 having a lower segment 53a. The high voltage lead 29 is connected between the contact 36 and the ignition electrode 8.

The upper closure of hand lighter 9 is formed by a cap 40 with air slits 57 and a flame outlet 58. Cap 40 can be in the form of an extension of the body of the hand lighter 9 or it can be a separate part which can be mounted on the hand lighter 9 or attached thereto in some other manner.

FIG. 4 clearly shows how the switch 3 is sprung so that it is in the form of a snap-action switch in order to ensure a good and powerful contact to discharge the capacitor 4. The switch 2 is in operative connection with a pin 55 which passes upwardly through an opening in a casing wall 49 of the stand 30 to rest against the base 34 of the hand lighter 9. When the hand lighter 9 is removed from the receiving recess 31 a stop disc 56 on the pin 55 limits the upward movement of the pin. In the arrangement shown the casing wall 49 is the base of the receiving recess 31 for hand lighter 9, although this need not necessarily be the case.

From the ignition transformer 6 the high voltage lead 28 passes through a side wall 30 of the recess 31 to a sliding contact 51 which in the non-operative position of the hand lighter 9 (Le, with the hand lighter 9 received in the recess 31) rests on the casing of the hand lighter. The second insulated high voltage lead 29 which passes through the hand lighter 9 is connected via the contact 36 with an electrically conductive pin 54 which also has a stop disc 56 and which is connected via a sprung contact 62 to the high voltage winding 7 of the ignition transformer 6.

The gas supply valve 35 is closed upon inserting the hand lighter 9 into the recess 31 and is opened on removing the hand lighter 9 from the recess 31 by means of projection 50 on the casing wall 49. Details of the gas supply valve 35 can be seen from FIG. 5 is which the valve is shown in its open position i.e., with the hand lighter 9 removed from the stand 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, the gas supply valve 35 has a tubular valve casing 41 provided with an internal thread which casing is connected in a gas tight manner to the base 34 of the hand lighter 9. In the casing 41 there is an elastic diaphragm 42 which, by means of a screw plug 43 with a central bore 47, is pressed against the top 44 of the valve casing 41. A gas supply pipe 46 passes from the burner valve 38 (FIG. 4) to a central hole 45 in the cover 44. The central bore 47 in the screw plug 43 is enlarged at the top and receives an easily displaceable valve pin 48, which has a head 48a and the bottom of which projects from the screw plug 43.

If the hand lighter 9 is located in the position shown in FIG. 4 in the stand 30 the pin 48 is pressed against the diaphragm 42 by the projection 50 whereupon said diaphragm seals the lower opening of the gas supply pipe 46. The head 48a prevents the pin 48 from falling out of the screw plug 43.

If the hand lighter 9 is removed from the recess 31 the valve pin 48 can move slightly downwards. The gas pressure in the inside of the gas tank 9a presses the elastic diaphragm 42 downwards to such an extent that it rests on the head 43a of the pin 48. As a result the lower opening of the gas supply pipe 46 is opened and gas flows from the gas tank 9a through the bore 45 and the gas supply pipe 46 into the burner valve 33. The opening and closing of the gas supply valve 35 takes place automatically on removing and inserting the hand lighter.

If the hand lighter 9 is to be ignited then it is removed from its mounting i.e. from the recess 31 of the stand 30. Thereupon, first the gas supply valve 35 opens so that gas can flow out of the burner nozzle l and after a brief time lag the switch 3 is actuated so that the capacitor 4 is discharged via the primary winding 5 of the ignition transformer 6. The resulting high voltage induced in the secondary winding 7 of the transformer 6 is applied, via the still existing electrical connection between the contact 36 and the conducting pin 54 and between the sliding contact 51 and the metallic body of the hand lighter 9, to the spark gap formedbetween the ignition electrode 8 and either the burner nozzle l0 or a second (not shown) ignition electrode. The resulting spark ignites the gas flowing from the burner nozzle 10. Finally the electrical connections are interrupted and the hand lighter 9 with a burning flame can be used. The sequence of operations, which is brought about automatically be removal of the hand lighter 9, is, therefore, as follows: opening of the gas supply valve 35, operation of the switch 3, ignition of the gas, and interruption of the electrical circuit between the leads 28 and 29.

After use the hand lighter 9 is again inserted in the recess 31 whereupon the above-described sequence takes place in the reverse order. Firstly the electrical connections are restored, then the switch 3 is returned to the capacitor charge position by the pin 45, and finally the gas supply valve 35 is closed by the elastic diaphragm. 42 so that the flame is extinguished. Ignition and extinguishing of the hand lighter 9 therefore take place fully automatically.

The actual hand lighter 9 is light and preferably has a smooth surface free from sharp corners and edges. Other than the flame regulating lever 39 nothing projects from itbut even this latter member can also be arranged inside the hand lighter 9 if the cap 46 is designed so as to be removable. Besides the air slits 57 and the flame outlet 58 in the cap 40 the hand lighter 9 is externally completely smooth and sealed, but the hand lighter 9 could have other shapes if desired.

Preferably the hand lighter 9 is provided with a recessed portion 102 which co-operates with a member 103 in the recess 31 in order to ensure for example the correct alignment of the contacts 36 and 54.

The functions of the electrically conductive pin 54 for high voltage transmission and pin 55 for operating the switch 3 can be combined and exercised by one electrically conductive operating pin 59 as shown in FIG. 6. Operating pin 59 must in this case be insulated from the switch 3, this can be achieved for example by providing a cap 60 made from insulating material at the lower end of the pin 59. The operating pin 59 has a disc 61 fixedly located thereon upon which a sprung contact 62 acts. This ensures that the electrical connection between the contact 36 and the electrically conductive pin 59 is not broken until the disc 61 strikes against the wall 49, by which time the switch 3 has been actuated (i.e., it has struck its upper contact) and has thereby caused the lighter to ignite.

ln all the embodiments of the invention the hand lighter 9 and stand 30 can have casings made of any desired conventional material. It is within the knowledge of a person skilled in such matters to adapt the separable high voltage contacts between the stand 30 and the hand lighter 9 to the particular requirements. If, for example, it is desired tht the hand lighter 9 or its gas tank 9a be made from plastics, then either a second high voltage line, like the high voltage line 29 shown in FIG. 4, could be passed through the gas tank 9a, or the casing of the hand lighter 9 could be covered with a galvanic covering or a metallic sleeve. The currentconductive detachable connection which completes the circuit between the burner nozzle ill) (which forms an ignition electrode) and the high voltage winding 7 of the ignition transformer 6 will then be formed as described above by the sliding contact 511 cooperating with the conductive body of the hand lighter 9. Current to the burner nozzle l6, acting as an ignition electrode, could also be supplied via the gas supply valve 35. In this case, a conductive connection must be provided between the valve casing 41 or its top 44 and the gas supply pipe 46 (e.g., by a wire or spring within the gas tank 9a).

FIG. 7 shows as a second embodiment a two-part lighter wherein the hand lighter 9 is held in the recess 31 of the stand 30 by means of a latch system, e.g., a movable slider 65. Release of the hand lighter 9 may be effected by depressing a cylindrical push button 69, located in the stand 30, thereby releasing the latching system between the hand lighter 9 and the stand 30 and also actuating the electrical igniter, which in this example is a piezo-electric igniter 68. The hand lighter 9 in FIG. 7, which is not shown in section because its design corresponds to that of F IGS. 4 and 5, has a conical base 63. Between this and the cylindrical body of the hand lighter 9 there is a groove 64 wherein under the influence of a spring 67 the movable slider can engage, the slider 65 being readily displaceable in a guide 66. At its front end the slider 65 is preferably tapered to match the taper of the conical base 63 so that the slider will move easily to the side on inserting the hand lighter 9 into the recess 31. i

The cylindrical push button 69 has at its lower end a conical portion 711 and a cylindrical portion 76 of reduced diameter, which projects through an elongated hole 72 in the slider 65 and rests on the upper end of an operating member 73 for the piezo-electric igniter 68. The push button 69 and the operating member 73 can alternatively be rigidly connected with one another to form a constructional unit. The push button 69 is prevented from falling out or being drawn out of the stand 36 by a disc 74. The piezo-electric igniter 66 is fixed to the base of the stand 30.

The electrical connection between the piezo-electric igniter 68 and the ignition electrode 8 is effected by a flexible high voltage lead 28a, an electrically conductive pin 54a, which is urged upwardly by a spring 78 and is provided with a stop disc 56, and the contact 36 in the hand lighter 9. The return conductor from the burner nozzle 9 serving as the second ignition electrode is provided by the casing of the hand lighter 9, a sliding contact 510 having a bent portion 79, located in the recess 31, and high voltage lead 28 leading to the piezoelectric igniter.

To initiate an ignition and for releasing the hand lighter 9, the button 69 is pressed. Its conical portion 71 presses the slider 65, counter to the force of the spring 67, along the guide 66 and out of the groove 64, thereby releasing the locking of hand lighter 9 in the recess 31. The spring 78, acting via the electrically conductive pin 54a, causes the opening of the gas supply valve 35 by moving the hand lighter 9 upwards until it is held by the bent portion 79 of the sliding contact 51a which engages the groove 64. On further depression of the push button 69 the piezo-electric igniter 68 operates to ignite the gas and the now burning hand lighter 9 can be removed from the recess 31 against the limited holding force of the sliding contact 51a. After releasing the push button 69 this is returned to its initial position by a (not shown) return spring connected to the piezoelectric igniter 68. The slider 65 is also urged by the spring 67 back to the position shown in FIG. 7. High voltage sparks may be produced by a piezo-electric element either by compressing the element or by striking it .in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

After use the hand lighter 9 is returned to the recess 31, whereupon the conical base 63 moves the slider 65 sideways against the force of the spring 67 until it can engage the groove 64, so that the hand lighter 9, now

' extinguished by the closure of the valve 35, is again securely held in the stand 30.

It is also possible to provide a magnetic ignition as the energy source for the lighter. The mangetic ignition will generally be somewhat larger than the piezo-electric igniter 68 but there is plenty of space in the stand for this. For operating the lighter shown in FIG. 7 with either a magnetic igniter or a piezo-electric igniter more effort must be exerted by the user than with the lighter'shown in FIG. 4 having a battery or the like. In the lighter of FIG. 4 with the ignition circuit of FIG. 1 the user only needs to overcome a slight frictional force because the electrical energy is stored in the battery.

In view of manufacturing tolerances it can be advantageous to provide the projection 50 for operating the fuel supply valve as a resilient member as shown in FIG. 8. A hollow cylinder 8 is located in a space 80 in the projection 50. The projection 50 is open at the bottom and is urged upwardly by a spring 84. The cylinder 81 has an upper cap 82 projecting from the space 80 through an opening 83, which cap in the inoperative position of the hand lighter'9 presses on the valve pin 48 of the gas supply valve 35 (FIG. 5), thereby closing this valve. On removing the hand lighter 9 from the recess 31 of the stand 30 the hollow cylinder 81, with its upper cap 82, is urged upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 9, at which the hollow cylinder 81 is prevented from further upward movement, allowing the valve 35 to open.

The components accommodated in the stand 30 in all the embodiments of the invention only take up a limited volume of less than for example 100 cm Consequently there is always sufficient space left in the stand 30 to take a pipe tamper and cleaner, cigarettes or cigars or the like. For example in the stand 30 it is possible to have a container with a foldable or tiltable lid or in the form of a draw, the container being separated by walls from the components of the stand 30.

The stand 30 can also have a shape as shown in FIG. 9 wherein a peripheral recess 88 is provided which can for example be in the form of an ashtray. If an ignition circuit, as shown in FIG. 1, with photoelectric cells 11 is used these can be mounted as shown on a free surface 90 or on an outer surface 89 of the stand 30.

FIG. 9 shows how a hand lighter 9 can be fixed to the stand 30 by means of a magnetic arrangement. On the base of the hand lighter 9 is provided a soft iron plate 106 which faces a permanent magnet 107 on the base of the recess 31. Advantageously between the soft iron plate 106 and permanent magnet 107 an air gap is provided in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances and to permit for example adjustment of the holding force between the hand lighter and the stand.

In the arrangement of FIG. 13 the soft iron plate 106 is replaced by a permanent magnet 107a. In the rest position unlike poles of the magnets 107 and 107a face one another, resulting in a large holding force. For removal of the hand lighter the user only needs to rotate it until like poles of the magnets face one another, whereupon separation can take place automatically. To keep the necessary rotation smaller than 180 multiple magnets can be used.

FIG. 10 shows a possible arrangement of a filler valve 101 in plan view on the base 34 of the hand lighter 9 between the members 43 and 48 of the gas supply valve 35 and an insulating ring 91 for a circular contact ring 36a mounted thereupon. The circular contact ring 36a is located concentrically with the gas supply valve 35. Thus the hand lighter can be pivoted to any desired angle about its longitudinal axis and inserted in the recess 31.

FIG. 11 also shows filler valve 101 arranged in front of the gas supply valve 35 and projecting into the tank 9a. In FIGS. 4 and 7 the filler valve 101 is not shown. However with these lighters it is also possible to arrange it between the gas supply valve 35 and the edge of the gas tank 9a in the known manner.

The casing of the stand 30 may be made of a plastics material so that there are no insulation problems and permitting a large amount of freedom in selecting the shape and colour of the stand. Due to the large amount of space available in the stand 30 when using the circuit of FIG. 1 with rechargeable batteries 11, it is also possible to provide a known charging device inside the stand 30. The charging device can be connected to the mains by a feed line also to be located in the stand or by means of a plug provided in or on the stand.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention and in particular a hand lighter 9 shown partially in section with a burner valve 38, an upper side 93 and a burner nozzle 10 provided with a bead 92. Between the bead 92 and the upper side 93 of the burner valve 38 is provided a fork-like slotted lever 94 articulated at one end to a rod 95. On the partition 37 is a stop member 96 which serves as a bearing for the lever 94. The rod and a cooperating spring 97 are located in a space 98 of the hand lighter 9, which space is open at its lower end. In the non-operative position the wall 49 presses the rod 95 upwards so that no opening force is ment of a lighter as shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to' that described with reference to the previous Figures. In the lighter shown in FIG. 11 the gas supply pipe 46 tothe burner valve 38 is replaced by a wick 100.

Regulatable burner valves wherein the gas outlet from the burner nozzle is brought about by raising the same and interruption of the gas flow is achieved by a downward movement of the burner nozzle into the burner valve by means of a spring incorporated in the burner valve are known from numerous designs and publications. Other types of burner valves and filler valves are known and it is therefore unnecessary to describe these valves in greater detail.

FIG. 12 shows further possibilities for fixing the hand lighter 9 in the recess 31. On the left hand side of FIG. 12 is shown a peripheral elastic moulded member 104 introduced into the side wall 33 and generally stuck into a depression and which has at least one sealing lip 104a. On the right hand side of the Figure is shown a leaf spring 105 for fixing the hand lighter 9. In principle one strong leaf spring could suffice, but several springs symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the recess 31 or the hand lighter 9 are preferred. The hand lighter 9 may also be fixed in the recess 31 by a conventional bayonet fitting between the hand lighter and the walls of the recess if desired.

For putting into operation the embodiments described and shown it is only necessary to perform one operation by means of which the hand lighter is both detached from its tand and also ignited. This operation in the simplest case is performed merely by removing the lighter from the stand. In another embodiment a push button, a lever or the like must be operated or a rotation movement must be performed. After use the hand lighter, is merely returned to its place in the stand. Extinguishing the flame i.e., cutting off the gas. supply and restoring the electrical connection for the next use, take place automatically. Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims members may be provided to assist in the ignition of the hand lighter, and in particular it is also possible to provide other attachments between the stand and the hand lighter, e.g., elastic suction cups.

While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that changes and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an ignition circuit'for generating an ignition voltage for application to a spark gap, the components of said circuit being accommodated in an energy source section of the lighter in operative connection in a detachable manner with at least one hand lighter section that is separable from the energy source section, said hand lighter section comprising a gas supply system and a spark gap, and means in said energy section and said hand lighter section causing said ignition circuit to produce a spark at said gap and to discharge gas from said supply for ignition by said spark as said sections are detached.

2. An electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an energy source section and a hand lighter section which is detachable connectable to said energy source section, said hand lighter section comprising a source of gas, a gas valve, a gas burner, and an ignition spark gap for providing upon the application of an ignition voltage thereto a spark to ignite gas issuing from the gas burner, and said energy source section comprising means for generating an ignition voltage for application to the ignition spark gap, said lighter further comprising means for openingthe gas valve and for subsequently establishing a spark across the ignition spark gap upon detaching the hand lighter from the energy portion and for closing the gas valve upon return of the hand lighter to the energy source section.

3. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage comprises an ignition circuit which is connected to a sprung electrically conductive pin which extends through a wall of the energy portion for making contact with an insulated contact on the hand lighter.

4. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage comprises a switch actuator which results in the production of the ignition voltage, and a sprung operating member for the switch, said member extending into the energy source section for engagement with the hand lighter.

5. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pin comprises an insulated member which forms the operating member of saidswitch.

6. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sprung electrically conductive pin has thereon a stop for engaging the wall of the energy portion to thereby limit the movement of the pin through the wall.

7. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the operating member has thereon a stop for engaging the wall of the energy portion to thereby limit the movement of the operating member through the wall.

8. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the energy source section is provided with a sliding contact for making connection to a contact on the hand lighter.

9. A lighter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the hand lighter has a metal casing with which the sliding contact is arranged to connect.

10. A lighter as claimed in any of claim 2 wherein the hand lighter comprises a base, a partition above the base and walls extending between the base and partition to form a gas tank, and a cap above the partition which defines an ignition space.

11. A lighter as claimed in claim 10 wherein in the partition are located the gas burner comprising a burner valve, an electrode, an insulator and a high voltage line which passes through said insulator and is connected to said electrode in the ignition space to form one electrode of the ignition spark gap.

12. A lighter as claimed in claim 11 comprising sprung mechanical linkage wherein the gas valve is formed by the burner valve, the state of which is controlled via said sprung mechanical linkage in dependence upon the position of a rod which is arranged to engage with a wall of the energy portion.

13. A lighter as claimed in claim 12 wherein the rod extends from the'base of the hand lighter to the ignition space within a space which is separate from the gas tank, said mechanical linkage comprises a spring arranged to urge the rod downwardly and a lever articulated at one end to the upper end of the rod and pivoted to control the state of the burner valve.

14. A lighter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the gas valve comprises a gas supply valve which is located at the base of the hand lighter and is connected to the burner valve via a gas supply pipe.

15. A lighter as claimed in claim 14 wherein the gas supply valve comprises a tubular valve casing, inserted inwardly into the base of the hand lighter, on the inner end of which is a cover having a central bore into which the lower end of the gas supply pipe projects, an elastic diaphragm positioned inside the casing at its inner end and held in place by means of a plug in the casing, and means for pressing the elastic diaphragm against the lower end of the gas supply pipe to thereby close the valve.

16. A lighter as claimed in claim 15 wherein the means for pressing the elastic diaphragm against the lower end of the gas supply pipe comprises a valve pin which is longitudinally displaceable with a central bore in the plug in the valve casing and which has a head which is arranged to bearagainst the elastic diaphragm.

17. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the energy portion of the lighter is in the form of a stand having therein at least one recess for receiving a hand lighter.

I 18. A lighter as claimed in claim 16 wherein the lower end of the valve pin projects from the central bore in the plug and is arranged to be engaged by a projection on the base of the recess to close the valve when the hand lighter is received in the recess.

19. A lighter as claimed in claim 18 wherein the projection comprises a hollow chamber in the base of the recess within which chamber is a hollow cylinder having an upper cap which extends through an upper opening in the chamber and which is urged upwardly by a spring within the chamber.

20. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the hand lighter is generally cylindrical, the recess for receiving the hand lighter having a corresponding generally cylindrical shape.

21. A lighter as claimed in claim 20 wherein the hand lighter and recess have corresponding guide members on the slides thereof so that the hand lighter may be received within the recess in only one rotational position thereof.

22. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the insulated contact is an annular contact on the base of the hand lighter.

23. A lighter as claimed in claim 20 wherein the hand lighter is provided with a groove, in its side wall near 12 its base, and the stand is provided with a movable slider for engaging the groove to retain the hand lighter within the recess in the stand.

24. A lighter as claimed in 23 wherein the slider is movable transversely to the side wall of the recess for receiving the hand lighter and is biased for engagement with the groove in the hand lighter by a spring, and wherein there is provided a push button for retracting the slider from the groove against the force of the spring to facilitate removal of the hand lighter, the push button also serving to actuate the means for generating an ignition voltage.

25. A lighter as claimed in claim 24 wherein to facilitate insertion of the hand lighter into the receiving recess in the stand the hand lighter is provided with a chamfered portion at its base to displace the slider transversely against the force of the spring as the hand lighter is inserted into the recess.

26. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage includes a battery and there is provided in the stand means for charging the battery.

27. A lighter as claimed in any of claim 17 wherein photo-electric cells are provided on a surface of the stand for supplying energy to the means for generating an ignition voltage.

28. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the push button is in operative connection with a piezo-electric igniter or with a make-and-break armature of a makeand-break igniter which forms the means for generating of ignition voltage.

29. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one O-ring to hold the hand lighter in the recess.

30. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one elastic moulded member with a sealing lip to hold the hand lighter in the recess.

31. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one leaf spring to hold the hand lighter in the recess.

32. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein a bayonet fitting is provided to hold the hand lighter in the recess.

33. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 comprising a magnetic arrangement in the recess of the energy source section which comprises a permanent magnet and, cooperating therewith, a second magnetic element.

34. A lighter as claimed in claim 33 wherein the magnetic arrangement includes two cooperating multipole permanent magnets.

35. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stand is provided with a peripheral recess for serving as an ashtray.

36. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stand includes one or more containers for receiving cigarettes or the like.

Patent No. 3, 820, 942 Dated June 28, 1974 Inventor(s) Hermann Remy It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 11 s after source, "1 should be deleted;

Column 3, line 11 after battery, "1" should be -ll;

Column 3, line 11 after FIG, "11" should be 1-;

Column 3, line 26 after source, "1" should be deleted;

Column3, line 33 after spring, "16" should be 13b--;

Column 3, line 36 after armature, "139" should be ---l3a-;

Column 3, line 54 after effect, insert "between";

Column 4, line 30 after switch, "2" should be 3-;

Column 4, line 55 after FIG, 5, "is" should be -in-;

Column 5, line 38 before removal, "he" should be by;

Column 7, line 53 after cylinder, "8" should be 81-';

Column 7, line 54 after the first occurrence of 50, "The projection 50" should be The cylinder 81-;

Column 7, line 63 after FIG, "9" should be -8--;

Column 7, line 63 after which, insert --time;

Column 8, line 11 after "11" insert Column 9, line 39 after its, "tand" should be stand;

Column 11, line 27 after displaceable, "with" should be within-.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents Patent No. 3,820, 942 Dated June 28, 1974 Inventofls) Hermann Remy It is certified that: error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 11 after source, "1" should be deleted;

Column 3, line 11 after battery, "1" should be -ll-;

Column 3, line 11 after FIG., "11" should be --1-;

Column 3, line 26 after source, "1" should be deleted;

Column 3, line 33 after spring, "16" should be l3b-;

Column 3, line 36 after armature, "139" should be -l3at-;

Column 3, line 54 after effect, insert "between",

Column 4, line '30 after switch, "2" should be 3-;

Column 4, line55 after FIG. 5, "is" should be -in-;

Column 5, line 38 before removal, "he" should be by--;

Column 7, line 53 after cylinder, "8" should be 8 1-;

Column 7, line 54 after the first occurrence of 50, "The projection 50" should be The cylinder 81-;

Column 7, line 63 after FIG. "9" should be -8;

Column 7, line 63 after which, insert time-;

Column 8, line l1 after "11" insert Column 9, 1111639 after its, "tend" should be --stand-;

Column 11, line 27 after displaceable, "with" should be --within--.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN ,Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an ignition circuit for generating an ignition voltage for application to a spark gap, the components of said circuit being accommodated in an energy source section of the lighter in operative connection in a detachable manner with at least one hand lighter section that is separable from the energy source section, said hand lighter section comprising a gas supply system and a spark gap, and means in said energy section and said hand lighter section causing said ignition circuit to produce a spark at said gap and to discharge gas from said supply for ignition by said spark as said sections are detached.
 2. An electrically ignited gas lighter comprising an energy source section and a hand lighter section which is detachable connectable to said energy source section, said hand lighter section comprising a source of gas, a gas valve, a gas burner, and an ignition spark gap for providing upon the application of an ignition voltage thereto a spark to ignite gas issuing from the gas burner, and said energy source section comprising means for generating an ignition voltage for application to the ignition spark gap, said lighter further comprising means for opening the gas valve and for subsequently establishing a spark across the ignition spark gap upon detaching the hand lighter from the energy portion and for closing the gas valve upon return of the hand lighter to the energy source section.
 3. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage comprises an ignition circuit which is connected to a sprung electrically conductive pin which extends through a wall of the energy portion for making contact with an insulated contact on the hand lighter.
 4. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage comprises a switch actuator which results in the production of the ignition voltage, and a sprung operating member for the switch, said member extending into the energy source section for engagement with the hand lighter.
 5. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pin comprises an insulated member which forms the operating member of said switch.
 6. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sprung electrically conductive pin has thereon a stop for engaging the wall of the energy portion to thereby limit the movement of the pin through the wall.
 7. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the operating member has thereon a stop for engaging the wall of the energy portion to thereby limit the movement of the operating member through the wall.
 8. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the energy source section is provided with a sliding contact for making connection to a contact on the hand lighter.
 9. A lighter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the hand lighter has a metal casing with which the sliding contact is arranged to connect.
 10. A lighter as claimed in any of claim 2 wherein the hand lighter comprises a base, a partition above the base and walls extending between the base and partition to form a gas tank, and a cap above the partition which defines an ignition space.
 11. A lighter as claimed in claim 10 wherein in the partition are located the gas burner comprising a burner valve, an electrode, an insulator and a high voltage line which passes through said insulator and is connected to said electrode in the ignition space to form one electrode of the ignition spark gap.
 12. A lighter as claimed in claim 11 comprising sprung mechanical linkage wherein the gas valve is formed by the burner vAlve, the state of which is controlled via said sprung mechanical linkage in dependence upon the position of a rod which is arranged to engage with a wall of the energy portion.
 13. A lighter as claimed in claim 12 wherein the rod extends from the base of the hand lighter to the ignition space within a space which is separate from the gas tank, said mechanical linkage comprises a spring arranged to urge the rod downwardly and a lever articulated at one end to the upper end of the rod and pivoted to control the state of the burner valve.
 14. A lighter as claimed in claim 11 wherein the gas valve comprises a gas supply valve which is located at the base of the hand lighter and is connected to the burner valve via a gas supply pipe.
 15. A lighter as claimed in claim 14 wherein the gas supply valve comprises a tubular valve casing, inserted inwardly into the base of the hand lighter, on the inner end of which is a cover having a central bore into which the lower end of the gas supply pipe projects, an elastic diaphragm positioned inside the casing at its inner end and held in place by means of a plug in the casing, and means for pressing the elastic diaphragm against the lower end of the gas supply pipe to thereby close the valve.
 16. A lighter as claimed in claim 15 wherein the means for pressing the elastic diaphragm against the lower end of the gas supply pipe comprises a valve pin which is longitudinally displaceable with a central bore in the plug in the valve casing and which has a head which is arranged to bear against the elastic diaphragm.
 17. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the energy portion of the lighter is in the form of a stand having therein at least one recess for receiving a hand lighter.
 18. A lighter as claimed in claim 16 wherein the lower end of the valve pin projects from the central bore in the plug and is arranged to be engaged by a projection on the base of the recess to close the valve when the hand lighter is received in the recess.
 19. A lighter as claimed in claim 18 wherein the projection comprises a hollow chamber in the base of the recess within which chamber is a hollow cylinder having an upper cap which extends through an upper opening in the chamber and which is urged upwardly by a spring within the chamber.
 20. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the hand lighter is generally cylindrical, the recess for receiving the hand lighter having a corresponding generally cylindrical shape.
 21. A lighter as claimed in claim 20 wherein the hand lighter and recess have corresponding guide members on the slides thereof so that the hand lighter may be received within the recess in only one rotational position thereof.
 22. A lighter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the insulated contact is an annular contact on the base of the hand lighter.
 23. A lighter as claimed in claim 20 wherein the hand lighter is provided with a groove, in its side wall near its base, and the stand is provided with a movable slider for engaging the groove to retain the hand lighter within the recess in the stand.
 24. A lighter as claimed in 23 wherein the slider is movable transversely to the side wall of the recess for receiving the hand lighter and is biased for engagement with the groove in the hand lighter by a spring, and wherein there is provided a push button for retracting the slider from the groove against the force of the spring to facilitate removal of the hand lighter, the push button also serving to actuate the means for generating an ignition voltage.
 25. A lighter as claimed in claim 24 wherein to facilitate insertion of the hand lighter into the receiving recess in the stand the hand lighter is provided with a chamfered portion at its base to displace the slider transversely against the force of the spring as the hand lighter is inserted into the recess.
 26. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the means for generating an ignition voltage includes a battery and there is provided in the stand means for charging tHe battery.
 27. A lighter as claimed in any of claim 17 wherein photo-electric cells are provided on a surface of the stand for supplying energy to the means for generating an ignition voltage.
 28. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the push button is in operative connection with a piezo-electric igniter or with a make-and-break armature of a make-and-break igniter which forms the means for generating of ignition voltage.
 29. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one O-ring to hold the hand lighter in the recess.
 30. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one elastic moulded member with a sealing lip to hold the hand lighter in the recess.
 31. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein the recess is provided with at least one leaf spring to hold the hand lighter in the recess.
 32. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 wherein a bayonet fitting is provided to hold the hand lighter in the recess.
 33. A lighter as claimed in claim 17 comprising a magnetic arrangement in the recess of the energy source section which comprises a permanent magnet and, cooperating therewith, a second magnetic element.
 34. A lighter as claimed in claim 33 wherein the magnetic arrangement includes two cooperating multipole permanent magnets.
 35. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stand is provided with a peripheral recess for serving as an ashtray.
 36. A lighter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stand includes one or more containers for receiving cigarettes or the like. 